Kearney keeps eyes on main prize

Rob Kearney might not have felt like putting his best foot forward today as the Lions continued to prepare for Saturday’s all-important first Test against Australia but he is experienced enough to know that after this midweek defeat by the Brumbies, it is essential for the main mission of the tour.

The Leinster and Ireland full-back, a tourist in 2009 to South Africa, will not have liked being part of the side that went down 14-12 in Canberra, the first defeat by a provincial side since the 1997 loss to Northern Transvaal.

But he will have emphasised the feeling among yesterday’s matchday squad that for the good of the tour, those involved must quickly draw a line under the defeat and focus solely of keeping morale up for the big games to come and not letting their disappointment spread across the squad.

“It’s important and probably the biggest thing sometimes when it comes down to these touring sides and there’s a big group of 37 guys involved,” Kearney said.

“It was one of the things we spoke about, that the guys who played tonight have an onus to get back into the mix and hold our heads up high even though we might not want to.

“But the big picture is Saturday, that’s all that matters and we have to do everything to make sure that whatever 23 are selected are in the best frame of mind.”

Kearney, who made his first start in six weeks having overcome a slight hamstring tear he suffered before the RaboDirect Pro12 final last month, is confident the Test squad will not be dealt a psychological blow by the defeat.

“I think this week was all about Saturday and it still is. Okay, it would have been nicer if we had won; it would have brought us some good momentum and there would have been a real high spirit amongst the camp within the boys, but I don’t think it’s going to affect us hugely.”

Head coach Warren Gatland described the loss to the Brumbies as a reality check, a sentiment not entirely shared with a bitterly disappointed Kearney.

“I think our performances have been pretty good up until now. You only get timely wake-up calls if you deserve it and you have it coming to you.

“I think it would be a little bit unfair to say we needed it.

“There were a lot of guys out there playing for the first time; it was a team that was pretty much put together over the last few days. But in saying that there were a lot of things we could have done better, that should be a given as professional rugby players.

Kearney was particularly rueful about his own prospects of forcing his way into the Test squad this weekend, although given his rustiness the Leinster full-back grew in stature as the game more wore on and finished strongly as the focal point for the Lions’ aerial bombardment of the Brumbies.

Making no denial that personal ambitions had been considered, Kearney said: “Of course we’re always thinking about it. This was my first start in six weeks so I just wanted to get some time under my belt and put in as best a performance as I could. It wasn’t really a night for full-backs but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Having played in all three Tests against the Springboks four years ago, though, the Irishman knows there are plenty of twists and turns left to negotiate over this series.

“Sometimes when you’re least expecting a second chance you get it. There will be injuries as we’ve seen in every game, the attrition rate seems to be pretty high. So a lot of guys will get second chances.”